Top 10 cool and unusual hotels in Dublin

Dublin is the beautiful city of song and poetry and the inspiration to many an author over the years – Beckett, Yeats, Joyce… even the beloved Irish novelist Maeve Binchy put the city in the centre of a wonderful yarn or two. From the manicured St Stephens Green to the beautiful architecture of Trinity College and Grafton Street and the vibrant night life of Temple Bar…history aside, this city still has plenty more to offer! Compact, carefree with a unique heart and soul, Dublin is the perfect spot for a rip-roaring, toe-tapping, Guinness-supping weekend city break, and having spent a few years living in the Irish capital, here is my choice for 10 of the best cool, unusual and quirky hotels in Dublin to help you on your way….

The Gibson – hip chic

This ultra modern, glass clad hotel comes complete with a bamboo shaded courtyard, legendary gourmet food from fresh local ingredients and most importantly a chic cocktail bar drawing on some cool Asian inspired design. Situated in the cultural heart of the city the Gibson Hotel prides itself on innovative design to maximise relaxation potential, including Japanese copper baths and gorgeous views over the Wicklow mountains. The hotel offers a number of inclusive deals under its “eat, sleep, play, explore” initiative enabling guests to make the most of the delicious pan Asian cuisine and enviable breakfast spreads. For a hip weekend in one of Europe’s most vibrant cities you can’t go wrong with The Gibson.

The Morgan – eclectic boutique

This deluxe boutique beauty is a city centre gem situated on Fleet Street just inches away from the buzzing nightlife of Temple Bar. The chic urban suites at the Morgan Hotel will please any self respecting glamour puss with their designer twist on comfort. Before heading out on the town it’s worth sampling the comprehensive cocktail menu in The Morgan Bar, including the signature cocktail ‘Morgan Bubbles’. You can enjoy tasty food too and listen to some brilliant live music sessions as well as going full party mode if you stay during one of the club’s special events. If you’re after a legendary Irish party weekend then this is almost certainly the hotel for you!

Trinity City Hotel – unique, colourful and trendy

This opulent but quirky Dublin hotel offers a luxurious oasis in the very heart of the city opposite the historic Trinity College. The Trinity City hotel prides itself in its modern chic versus magical vintage feel and it’s unarguably impeccably designed. This marrying of the old and the new is reflected in the hotel’s restaurant with offers traditional dishes with a contemporary twist in a choice of beautiful surroundings. The front lounge has panoramic views over Pearse Street, The Courtyard garden is a leafy oasis in the middle of the city, perfectly for a romantic al fresco meal and the piano lounge is a great place for a relaxed lunch with friends or business colleagues – easily one of the trendiest hotels in Dublin!

Number 31 – modernist chic

Design and architecture buffs will love this ultra friendly guesthouse which cleverly encompasses a classic Georgian townhouse and a stunning modernist mews by Sam Stephenson. The rooms at Number 31 have a cool classy 60’s feel combining bold colours and clean lines with the height of luxury and comfort. Guests can enjoy relaxing in the leafy courtyard or the famous sunken lounge (pictured above) and fortify themselves with what is said to be ‘the best breakfast in Dublin’. All of this is further perfected by the old style Irish charm and hospitality of the attentive staff.

Kelly’s Hotel – homely but fashionable

Small but perfectly formed, this city centre trendy Dublin hotel offers visitors a unique ‘house guest experience’. Stay in one of the 16 rooms at Kelly’s Hotel, each individually designed, and enjoy yourself as the city unfolds around you. Situated above ‘Hogans Bar’, one of Dublin’s best night spots, and with instant access to Dublin’s ultra cool ‘Secret Bar’, Kelly’s is ideal for the traveller who enjoys a bit of fun and mystery! Foodies will also love its close proximity to L’Gueuleton, one of the finest French restaurants in the city.

The Dean Hotel – hip retro

If you love all things hip and fun then this is the place for you! Rooms at the Dean Hotelare kitted out with all the cool stuff a self respecting hipster could wish for – Irish Modern Art, Marshall amps to connect your gadgets to, loads of vinyl to play on the Rega turntables, Netflix, Snacks, Nespresso machine and a heap of designer goods to keep you clean and rested. This unusual Dublin hotel is serious about food and drink too, from delicious rotisserie chicken to a tasty cocktail wrapped in a cosy blanket on the rooftop terrace, you can get it all here. It also has the bonus of being the venue for one of Dublin’s coolest nights out as Sophie’s Rooftop Terrace hosts the super laid back ‘Highline’, bringing New York vibes to Dublin every Thursday – Saturday, 11pm ’til late. Raise your glasses as the city twinkles beneath you and be prepared to never want to leave!

The Morrison – chic and unique

This hip and unique Dublin hotel situated on the banks of the river Liffey is known throughout Ireland for its chic design and celebrity clientele. You can easily ‘spend all your money on whiskey and beer’ as the Morrison Hotel is close to both the Guinness Brewery and the Jameson distillery and its award winning Quay 14 bar offers a comprehensive range of whiskeys, craft beers and Irish music themed cocktails in meticulously designed surroundings. The food on offer in The Morrison Grill takes its inspiration from local culture and stories and uses only the best fresh, homegrown ingredients. For a touch of luxury in the heart of Dublin, this cool hotel is at the top of its game.

Generator Hostel – trendy budget

Dublin can be pricey and if you would rather save your pennies for exploring the city but you’re not willing to slum it either, then Generator Hostel could be the place for you. Situated in the hip Smithfield District of Dublin next to the Jameson distillery, this is a cool and unusual design-led gem of a hostel. With plenty of innovative communal spaces and a room choice for every budget, this is an ideal place to stay if you are travelling alone and want to meet people. It also offers a luxury hot tub room for the ultimate girly weekend and clean comfortable shared rooms for small groups and couples too. Be sure to sample a whisky or two in the super street, Jameson inspired bar and tuck in to a famous gourmet burger in the onsite restaurant too!

The Schoolhouse Hotel – unique historical

The walls of this beautiful historical hotel have many stories to tell. From its inception in 1859 the building has witnessed many an important event unfold, including the 1916 Easter Rising. Each of the 31 boutique rooms at the Schoolhouse Hotelis dedicated to one of Irelands most influential figures. The warm and romantic ambience in The Schoolhouse Restaurant draws travellers from both near and far and the whole hotel benefits from sympathetic design and attention to detail to make your stay as comfortable and relaxing as can be.

The Marker Hotel – trendy modern

Rising from the heart of Dublin’s urban docklands and drawing on the elemental nature of the Irish landscape The Marker Hotel is a luxurious retreat for the modern minded. The visually arresting spaces include a rooftop terrace with views beyond the urban cityscape and out across the wild mountains and the sea, an infinity pool, 187 flawless rooms of a unique geometric design and a stunning cocktail bar and brasserie. Foodies can enjoy delicious award winning dishes with a local focus followed by drinks up on the rooftop terrace whilst taking in the buzz of the city and the peace of the landscape beyond. All this before retiring to a comfortable impeccably designed room with everything you need provided for you and then some…

Beth was born under a wandering star, with drama in her veins and ink in her pen. After stints studying theatre in Dublin and Utrecht she used her creative streak to see as much of the world as she could on as little money. She toured Italian Schools with a children's theatre troop, lived as an au-pair in both Rome and Washington DC, explored the British countryside, worked her way through much of Europe, Salsa'd in Cuba and road tripped down America's west coast where she discovered her spiritual home; Portland, Oregon. In between adventures she resides peacefully with her cat and ukulele amid the misty valleys and rolling hills of beautiful South Wales.

Beth Pinches

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Hi I'm Becky, a semi nomadic traveller but otherwise the UK-based owner of Global Grasshopper – an award winning blog and resource for independent travellers. I'm also joined by a team of self-confessed travel snobs and together we're embarking on a journey to unravel the secrets of the world's most unique, under-the-radar and beautiful places. Whether you are a backpacker, a flashpacker or just prefer to holiday away from the crowds, subscribe to our email post alert for uplifting photography, guides & stories from our many collective journeys and inspiration for the road less travelled.

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